Question

can anyone else relate/ help with wild children?

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he is possesive, and often violent with others, adults and children a like. His cousins are frightened of him. They all run because he thinks it funny to push or smack or punch. I tell him constantly that it is wrong and make him say sorry. But nothing i say means anything to him, he also laughs in my face when i yell at him.
I have resorted to spanking sometimes because there really isnt anything else that he responds to, he thinks everything is funny, mainly on the hand or bottom. Now, i contribute this to my husband who has the same problem of laughing in situations like this, which also drives me crazy.
he was doing better because we lived with my nephew, but after we lost our house in the hurricane, everything changed. I am afraid to bring him to the park to interact with other children because he either takes their things, hits them, or in little girls case, trys hug them to death. i dont know what i am asking, i guess just venting because sometimes i fear for his future

Mom Answers

He must feel empathy for the people he is hurting. Punishing a child puts all the focus on the aggressor. Also making him say he is sorry when obviously he is not is really not productive at all. I have two book suggestions for you and I can say they have done wonders in our house. "Unconditional Parenting" and "Playful Parenting". I really think they could help you.

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